Real bulls. Where does a wild bull live and what does it look like. Bison - a relative of the tour, Belovezhskaya bull, bison of North America
Animals, medium and large sizes.
Characteristics of the genus real bulls
Animals of large size. The withers are not high and are not raised in the form of a hump. The spinous processes of the first thoracic vertebrae are slightly elongated compared to others. The height at the rump is only slightly less than the height at the withers, and sometimes equal to the latter. There is no dewlap of long hair on the underside of the neck and head.
The skull is relatively narrow and elongated in length. The eye sockets protrude moderately to the sides. The greatest width of the skull is less than 60% of the main length of the skull. The frontal surface, except for the postorbital constriction, has the shape of an elongated rectangle, its width in front of the bases of the horn rods is approximately equal to the width of the forehead in the region of the orbits. The postorbital width of the forehead (at the narrowest point between the horns and the orbits) is less than the maximum width of the skull at the zygomatic arches. The posterior margin of the forehead, in the form of a well-developed ridge, protrudes strongly backward and is sharply demarcated from the parietal surface of the skull. The latter does not take part at all in the formation of the roof of the brain box. The dorsal surface of the lateral skull is pushed back, placed at an acute angle to the plane of the forehead and at an obtuse angle to the plane of the occiput, hanging over the latter. When looking at the skull from above, the posterior exits of the temporal cavities are not visible. The distance between them is greater than the distance between the outer edges of the occipital condyles. The horns extend from the posterior corners of the forehead along the edges of the interhorn ridge (in a living, calmly standing animal at the very top of the head). The distance between the orbit and the base of the horn process is much greater than the diameter of the orbit. The cross section of the horn processes approaches round, but is always noticeably flattened at the bases in the dorsoventral direction. Longitudinal ribs (keels) on the surface of the horn rods, in contrast to a number of other genera of the subfamily, are absent.
There are 13 thoracic vertebrae and 13 pairs of ribs in the skeleton.
Habitat and distribution of real bulls
The roots of the genus real bulls lead to the genus Urmiabos Bartscti., known from the Lower Pliocene fauna of Maraga in Iranian Azerbaijan and possessing a set of features that allow us to consider it an ancestral form not only for bulls, but also for yaks (Poephagus Gray). Remains, obviously related to the genus Bos, appear only in the Upper Pliocene. At that time, the long-horned B. acutifrons Lyd. lived in India, which still had a poorly developed interhorn ridge. Remains of the same geological age, leaving no doubt that they belong to the genus of bulls, are known from northern Africa.
The time of the initial appearance of aurochs in Europe is not known for certain, but, apparently, they penetrated here through Asia Minor and Central Asia also no later than the Upper Pliocene or Lower Pleistocene. N. Vassoevich, among other finds from the Lower Quaternary deposits of the Taman Peninsula, mentions the horn process of Bos. However, no description of this horn process was given, its location is currently unknown, and there is no certainty that it belonged to a bull, and not to a primitive bison found in the Taman fauna.
The remains of real bulls are known from the pre-glacial quarter of the lower Volga and from the Pliocene or Upper Pliocene deposits of the river. Psekupsa in the North Caucasus.
The range of the genus Bos was very extensive. At one time, aurochs inhabited, in addition to northern Africa, most of Eurasia, including the British Isles and southern Sweden. To the north, the distribution area extended to 57-60 ° N. sh. In contrast to the primitive bison, primitive bulls never entered the territory of the New World. Apparently, there were none in Ireland either.
Classification of the genus real bulls
The taxonomy of the genus Bos is confused. A significant number of forms are described, sometimes taken as subspecies, sometimes as independent species. V. I. Gromova made a detailed revision of the genus, and reduced all the variety of Quaternary forms of aurochs to two species: the large glacial Bos trochoceros Meyer and its somewhat smaller descendant, the Late Pleistocene and Holocene B. primigenius Boj. The latter existed on the territory of Central and Eastern Europe, and possibly also Central and Asia Minor already in historical times and finally died out at the beginning of the 17th century. N. I. Burchak described from the Upper Pleistocene fauna of the Binagads on the Apsheron Peninsula (Wurm) a new species of bull B. mastan-zadei Burtsch., craniologically close to the Pleistocene Indian species B. namadicus Falc. However, the species independence of the form described by N. I. Burchak is doubtful, since V. I. Gromova takes B. namadicus only as a subspecies of B. trochoceros.
Findings of remains of diluvial aurochs (Bos trochoceros) in Europe are rare.
The issue of dwarf forms of aurochs remains controversial and unclear: B. longifrons Ow., B. minutus Malsb., B. brachyceros europaeus Adam. The dimensions of the skull in these forms in some cases do not exceed those of the skulls of small races of livestock. However, belonging to the latter is ruled out in some cases by the geological age of the finds, in others by the morphological features of the dwarf aurochs. Some researchers take small skulls for the skulls of females B. primigenius Boj. However, it should be borne in mind that some of the finds of dwarf aurochs are of Pleistocene age. Consequently, even if we accept the strongly pronounced sexual dimorphism in size in aurochs, it is difficult to recognize these finds as the skulls of females, while the skulls of diluvial males are gigantic.
Within Europe, the remains of dwarf tours were found in Armenia in the bottom sediments of Lake. Sevan and in the river basin. Ural. The question of the systematic position of pygmy aurochs is important in connection with the problem of the origin of certain groups of domestic cattle.
At present, the genus of real bulls is represented only by the domestic form, cattle B. taurus L., but already in historical times on the territory of the USSR the primitive bull, or tour B. primigenius Bojanus, was found in the wild.
Infraclass - placental
Subfamily - bulls
Narodrod - bulls and buffaloes
Genus - real bulls
Literature:
1. I.I. Sokolov "Fauna of the USSR, Ungulate animals" Publishing house of the Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 1959.
The buffalo is a large-sized animal, its weight can reach more than 1000 kg, but not everyone has such a mass. Speaking about growth, on average this figure ranges from 1 to 1.5 m, while the limbs of the buffalo are not long, but powerful. Naturally, deviations from the average are permissible, depending on the breed and habitat of the animal.
Interesting fact that the older the buffalo, the more mass he manages to gain. Males are traditionally more massive, they are heavier than females, which allows them to fight for themselves and their herd. The female on average weighs up to 600 kg, although some endemic species, such as anoa, barely reach 300 kg.
A characteristic feature of buffaloes is the presence of horns. In the most common breed - the African buffalo - the horns are not too large, but at the same time they are directed in different directions and have bends. Outwardly, the place of fusion of the horns with the skull resembles a kind of helmet. There are also such species of animal, such as the Indian buffalo, in which the horns reach record levels: about 2 m in length. At the same time, they are not directed upwards, but also grow to the side, turning back at the end. There are also polled animals, but this is a rather rare occurrence.
Where do buffaloes live
A buffalo is an animal that belongs to the genus of bulls, but with a peculiarity: their horns are hollow. It is worth saying that in Russia or Ukraine it is rare to meet one individual, and even more so a family of buffaloes. This is due to the fact that the natural habitat of the bovid animal is a country with a hot climate, where there are no such harsh winters.
Currently, four subspecies of this animal are distinguished:
- Tamarou.
- Endemic anoa or dwarf (small, small).
- Asian (another name for Indian), common on the islands of Sulawesi.
- African buffalo (lives in Africa and is the most common).
Naturally, the habitat will influence the wild animal, it will be most adapted to its native climate.
However, at present, the animal is protected by the law of many states, as their numbers are massively reduced. Some species, such as anoa, are forced to be placed in the Red Book, as the species is on the verge of extinction. Some attribute this to global warming, someone sees the reason for the fact that these animals are being hunted, poaching.
African buffalo
African buffalo, or black buffalo (lat. Syncerus caffer) is a species of bulls widespread in Africa. Although a typical representative of the subfamily of bulls, the African buffalo, however, is very peculiar and is allocated to a separate genus Syncerus with a single species (it is also the only one from the subfamily of bulls that lives in Africa).
Appearance
To feel the full power and greatness of the African buffalo, just one look at it is enough. Judge for yourself: its height reaches two meters, and its length is three and a half. The weight of an adult male is about a ton, and the greatest threat is not the horns (which reach a meter length), but the hooves. The front part looks more massive and has a larger hoof area than the back. It is for this reason that the meeting with the African buffalo, rushing at high speed, becomes the last for the victim.
The most striking representative of the five subspecies of African giants is the Kaffir buffalo. It is much larger than its counterparts and almost completely corresponds to the above description. It has a very formidable disposition, which, as it were, warns the black color of the coat.
Habitat and lifestyle
Already from the name of the animals it is clear that they live on the African continent. But it is impossible to clearly define the territory that African bulls prefer. They can live equally well in forests, savannahs and mountains. The main requirement for the area is the close location of the water. It is in the savannas that the Kaffir, Senegal and Nile buffaloes prefer to stay.
In the natural environment, large colonies of African buffaloes can only be found in protected areas that are far from people. Animals do not trust them much and try to avoid them in every possible way, like any other threat. In this they are helped in many ways by their excellent sense of smell and hearing, which cannot be said about vision, which can hardly be called ideal. Females with young offspring behave especially carefully.
Separate attention deserves the organization of the herd and the hierarchy in it. At the slightest danger, the calves move deep into the herd, and the most mature and experienced ones cover them, forming a dense shield. They communicate with each other through special signals and clearly define their further actions. In total, the herd can consist of 20 to 30 individuals of different ages.
Human use
Despite the fact that African buffaloes pose a great danger and are very reluctant to make contact with people, the latter still managed to tame the giants and successfully use them in the household. The tribes use these animals as a traction force, cultivating large areas for crops of cereals and other crops.
Also African buffaloes are indispensable as cattle. They are raised for meat, and they do not always wait until the calf reaches its maximum weight. Females give milk of excellent quality, containing a large amount of fat. They make hard and soft cheese, similar to cheese, and drink it just like that.
After the slaughter of African buffaloes, in addition to meat, there is also a lot of useful food left. For example, the skin can be used as bedding, decoration, or used for tailoring. Now massive horns decorate the interior, and earlier they were used to make primitive tools for cultivating the garden. Even bones are used - burned in the furnace and ground, they are used as fertilizer and feed additive for other domestic animals.
Population status and threats
The African buffalo did not escape the common fate of large African ungulates, which were severely knocked out in the 19th - first half of the 20th century due to uncontrolled shooting. However, the buffalo population suffered much less than, for example, elephants - perhaps because, given the complexity and danger of hunting, the buffalo is not of commercial value (unlike the same elephant with valuable tusks or a rhinoceros with a valuable horn). Therefore, the number of buffaloes remained quite high. Much greater devastation among the buffaloes was caused by the epizootic of rinderpest, brought to Africa at the end of the 19th century with the cattle of white settlers. The first outbreaks of this disease among buffaloes were noted in 1890.
The buffalo at present, although it has disappeared in many places of its former habitat, is still numerous in places. The total number of buffalo of all subspecies in Africa is estimated at about a million heads. The state of the population, according to the estimates of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, "is under little threat, but depends on conservation measures" (Eng. Lower risk, conservation dependent).
In a number of places in Africa, stable and sustainable buffalo populations live in protected areas. There are many buffaloes in such famous reserves as the Serengeti and Ngorongoro (Tanzania) and the National Park. Kruger (South Africa). Large herds of buffalo are found in Zambia, in reserves in the Luangwa River Valley.
Outside reserves, the biggest threat to buffalo is habitat destruction. Buffaloes do not tolerate the cultural landscape at all and try to stay away from agricultural land, so the plowing and development of land, inevitable with the constant growth of the population of Africa, has an extremely negative effect on the number of buffaloes.
Many buffaloes are kept in zoos around the world. They breed well in captivity, but keeping them is quite difficult - buffaloes in the zoo are sometimes very aggressive. Cases have been noted when buffalo fights in the zoo led to death.
Asian buffalo
The Asian buffalo, or Indian buffalo (lat. Bubalus arnee) is an artiodactyl mammal from the bovid family. One of the largest bulls. Adults reach a length of more than 3 meters. The height at the withers reaches 2 m, and the weight can reach 1000 kg, in some cases up to 1200, on average, an adult male weighs about 900 kg. The horns reach up to 2 m, they are directed to the sides and back and have a crescent shape and a flattened section. Cows have small or no horns.
Appearance description
Despite the fact that the Indian buffalo species includes at least 6 subspecies, they are all united by similar appearance features. One of them is horns. Long, growing slightly backwards, they gently curve upwards and are a serious weapon, equally dangerous for predators and humans, as well as for other animals.
In Indian buffalo cows, the horns are not as prominent as those of bulls, they differ in shape - they are not curved, but straight. Sexual dimorphism is also manifested in size indicators - females are much smaller.
The Indian bull, with the exception of the dwarf variety, reaches a height of about 2 meters. Adult buffaloes weigh up to 900 kg on average. There are individual individuals weighing up to 1200 kg. The length of the barrel-shaped body is about 3-4 meters. Compared to other buffaloes, Indian bulls have relatively high legs. Representatives of the species have a long (up to 90 cm), massive tail.
In addition to the large dimensions of the body, nature has awarded Indian buffaloes with a decent long life, reaching up to 26 years in natural conditions.
Range and conservation problems
Wild Asian buffaloes live in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia, as well as Ceylon. Back in the middle of the 20th century, buffaloes were found in Malaysia, but now, apparently, there are no wild animals left there. On the island of Mindoro (Philippines), in the special reserve Iglit, a special, dwarf subspecies lived, called tamarau (B. b. mindorensis). This subspecies is apparently extinct.
But the historical range of buffalo settlement is huge. As early as the beginning of the first millennium A.D. e. the Indian buffalo was found on a vast territory from Mesopotamia to southern China.
In most places, buffaloes now live in strictly protected areas, where they are accustomed to humans and are no longer wild in the strict sense of the word. The Indian buffalo was also brought to Australia in the 19th century and widely settled in the north of the continent.
In Asian countries, the range and number of Indian buffalo are constantly declining. The main reason for this is not hunting, which is usually limited and carried out according to strict quotas, but habitat destruction, plowing and settlement of remote areas. There are fewer and fewer places where a wild buffalo can live in a natural setting. In fact, now in India and Sri Lanka, the range of wild buffalo is completely tied to national parks (the famous Kaziranga National Park in the Indian state of Assam has a herd of buffaloes of more than a thousand heads). The situation in Nepal and Bhutan is little better.
Another serious problem is the constant crossbreeding of wild buffalo with domestic ones, due to which the wild species is gradually losing its purity of blood. It is extremely difficult to avoid this in view of the fact that almost everywhere wild buffaloes have to live next to people and, accordingly, domestic buffaloes kept on free pasture.
Lifestyle and behavior
Indian buffaloes are characterized by a herd lifestyle. Small groups are formed from the leader - the oldest bull, several young males, as well as calves and cows. When a threat appears, the herd tries to get away from the pursuers as soon as possible. However, then the animals regroup and wait for enemies for a frontal attack, often on their own tracks. In any situation, older animals try to protect the young.
The Indian buffalo in nature associates his life with stagnant water: lakes or swamps, in extreme cases, he settles for slow-flowing rivers.
At the same time, Indian bulls themselves are one of the irreplaceable sources of reproduction of natural resources. The manure they produce contributes to the replenishment of nutrients and supports the intensive growth of green mass.
small island buffaloes
In the Philippines, or rather, on the small island of Mindoro, there lives a small dwarf buffalo tamarou. Its height is only 110 cm, body length is 2-3 meters, and weight is 180-300 kg. It looks more like an antelope than a buffalo. The horns of the tamarou buffalo are flat, curved back, each about 40 cm long. They form a triangle at the base. The coat is liquid, black or chocolate in color, sometimes gray.
Even 100-150 years ago, the places where the tamarou buffalo lives were sparsely populated. On the island of Mindoro there was a very dangerous strain of malaria, they were afraid to master it. Animals could easily walk through the tropical thickets without fear, because there are no large predators on the island, and the tamarou is the largest species there. But they learned to fight malaria, the island began to be actively populated, which led to a sharp decrease in the population. Now in the world there are no more than 100-200 individuals of this species, it is listed in the Red Book.
Another small buffalo lives on the island of Sulawesi. It is called anoa and is even smaller than tamarou. The height of the anoa is only 80 cm, and the length of the body is 160 cm. Females weigh about 150 kg, males reach 300 kg. There is almost no wool on their body, the skin color is black. Calves are born almost red. There are two varieties of this buffalo: the mountain buffalo and the plains anoa buffalo. Plains anoas have straight horns with a triangular cut, about 25 cm long. Mountain anoas have twisted and round ones.
The small island buffalo has a lifespan of about 20 years, which is significantly longer than other species. Now anoas are extremely rare. Despite the fact that they are protected in Indonesia, animals often become victims of poachers. Wherever a person appears, active development of the territory begins.
Sulawesi is one of the most densely populated islands, so there is less and less space for anoa, which does not affect the population in the best way. Perhaps soon this view can only be seen in photos and videos.
population
Until the 19th century, the pygmy wild buffalo from the island of Sulawesi densely populated the area. However, with the growth of agriculture, the bulls began to leave the coastal areas, moving away from people. The dwarf animals have chosen mountainous areas as a new habitat.
Before World War II, the number of buffalo was significant. Hunting rules protected the species from destruction, and besides, the locals rarely killed the anoa. The situation changed dramatically after World War II.
The local population has acquired more serious firearms. Now hunting for anoa has become available to them. Hunting rules were constantly violated, and the reserves built to protect the buffalo were abandoned.
Due to the fearfulness of animals, it is not possible to thoroughly study the species. Both species are known to be on the verge of extinction. The exact number of wild buffaloes is unknown. There are much more mountain individuals in nature, thanks to the mountains in which you can hide from danger. Plain species are subject to attacks by predators and local residents, so their numbers are constantly declining.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature records in the stud book the number of animals living in captivity. This allows you to create a minimum fund of small bulls.
domestic bulls
The Indian buffalo was domesticated several thousand years ago. Images of buffalo-like animals can be found both on ancient Greek vases and on Sumerian tiles. Distributed throughout the southern territory of the Eurasian continent, bulls are still preserved as livestock in southern Europe and Southeast Asia. They were brought to Hawaii, and to Japan, and to Latin America.
On the territory of the Caucasus region, a local breed has long been inhabited, originating from Indian wild bulls. Currently, breeding work is being carried out to improve local animals: to increase the yield of meat and improve the milk qualities of buffaloes. Traditionally, the population produced gatyg or yogut, kaymag (specially processed fat cream) and ayran from milk. Currently, industrial recipes for the manufacture of different types of cheese are being developed, because it is known that Italian mozzarella according to the original recipe is made from buffalo milk.
Domestic bulls are common in Bulgaria (Indo-Bulgarian breeding group), and in Italy and the Balkan region. They are bred in Transcarpathia and Lviv region (Ukraine). Both meat and milk of buffaloes are valuable food products.
In India, where the meat of ordinary cows is considered forbidden, domestic buffalo are the source of this protein food. The ban does not apply to domesticated bulls, and they are bred as both dairy and beef cattle. In Southeast Asia and Latin America, powerful, hardy animals are the best draft force. With the help of bulls, people cultivate the rice fields, harnessing the buffalo to primitive plows and harrows. In mountainous or swampy areas where horses cannot work, they carry a variety of goods.
Domestic animals very often self-breed with wild buffaloes, violating the purity of the blood of the latter. The already rare, wild bulls lose their biological exclusivity, producing offspring with a mixed genotype. There are only about 1,000 purebred wild bulls left.
Buffalo productivity
In almost all main indicators of productivity, buffaloes are significantly inferior to ordinary cows. Thus, the slaughter yield usually does not exceed 47%, while in ordinary cattle this figure ranges from 50-60%. At the same time, the characteristics of meat are very mediocre, to say the least.
The meat of adult buffaloes is quite tough and also strongly reeks of musk, so it cannot be used as food like regular beef. It must either be deeply processed (for example, to make sausages), or fed to other animals (for example, to make dog food). But the meat of young animals is more or less similar to beef, although it is noticeably inferior to it in taste. By the way, wild buffaloes in Africa and Australia are objects of sport hunting, but their meat also has no special value.
Average milk yields are also not particularly encouraging - 1400-1700 liters per lactation, which is 2-3 times lower than that of ordinary meat and dairy cows (not to mention purely dairy breeds). However, the advantage of buffaloes is that their milk is very fatty. While regular cow's milk contains 2 to 4% fat, buffalo contains 8%. In fact, buffaloes do not even give milk, but low-fat cream.
Buffalo skins are of particular value. The average weight of raw leather from one animal is 25-30 kg with an average thickness of about 7 mm.
Features of keeping buffaloes
According to the conditions of detention, the Asian black buffalo is as close as possible to an ordinary cow. He grazes on the same pastures, lives in an ordinary barn, and in general differs little from a cow. At the same time, two diametrically opposed opinions have developed among pastoralists regarding the nature of buffaloes.
Both the Indonesian dwarf buffalo and the domesticated Indian buffalo willingly eat the most coarse and low-value feeds that are usually unsuitable for cows. For example, straw and corn stalks can be fed to these animals. In addition, we recall that domestic buffaloes are called "river type". They can be safely grazed in marshy and forest pastures where normal cows are not grazed. Buffaloes are very fond of coastal vegetation (reeds, sedge), and also eat nettles, ferns and even needles without any problems.
In swampy areas where it is problematic to breed ordinary cattle, buffaloes feel very comfortable. Moreover, if there is at least a small reservoir nearby, they will willingly swim in it in the summer heat.
It is believed that buffaloes tolerate cold well, but given the southern origin of this species, this should not be abused. In regions with cold winters, animals definitely need a warm capital barn.
Advantages and disadvantages of buffaloes
Traditionally, the term "cattle" refers to ordinary cows and bulls, but domesticated buffalo also belongs to this category of farm animals. And, since it is cows that are the main representative of this group, it makes sense to compare the advantages and disadvantages of buffaloes in relation to them.
The clear benefits are:
- High fat milk. The average fat content is just over 8%, and subject to certain rules of fattening, this figure can easily be brought up to 10% or more. Thus, buffalo milk is an ideal raw material for the production of butter and cheese. If for the production of 1 kg of butter you need 30-35 liters of cow's milk, then buffalo milk will need only 10-15 liters. Thus, low milk yields of buffaloes are fully compensated
- Undemanding to feed. Cheap roughage, which is not suitable for cows, is eaten by buffaloes with great eagerness, which greatly reduces the cost of their maintenance. Especially in winter.
- Good health. Buffaloes are much less susceptible to infectious diseases of cattle. In addition, they can live in humid, hot climates, making them the preferred type of cattle in swampy areas. Especially in the south of the country.
However, the much greater popularity of cows in Russia has quite objective reasons.
Buffaloes have a number of significant drawbacks, due to which the vast majority of farmers prefer cows:
- Small milk yields. Under similar conditions of keeping and nutrition, buffaloes give milk 2-3 times less than meat and dairy breeds of cows, and 4-6 times less than dairy ones.
- Tasteless meat. Although breeders have bred new buffalo breeds over the past decades that have vastly improved meat flavor characteristics, beef is still much tastier.
- Complex nature. According to the reviews of many cattle breeders who had experience in breeding buffaloes, these animals are still more wayward and capricious than cows.
Notable Facts
- The famous Italian mozzarella cheese, according to the correct recipe, is made from buffalo milk.
- In India, where the cow is a sacred animal for the majority of the population and is not subject to slaughter for meat, on sale, however, you can often find beef and veal. This paradox is explained by the fact that the religious prohibition does not apply to buffaloes, therefore, under the name beef, nothing more than buffalo meat is sold. It differs from real beef in taste, besides, buffalo is much tougher than beef.
- In a number of places in Southeast Asia (some areas of Vietnam, Thailand, Laos), domestic buffalo fights are among the favorite folk amusements.
- The tallest buffaloes are prepared for competitions for a long time, trained and fattened in a special way.
- buffalo fight occurs without human intervention - the bulls are brought to the site one against the other and butt until one runs away from the battlefield or shows undoubted signs of defeat (for example, falls at the feet of the winner). The fight is very rarely bloody - usually buffaloes do not cause any serious damage to each other. In recent decades, buffalo fights have also become a popular spectacle for tourists.
Video
Few people think when they see a modern cow, where did it come from, and who was its progenitor. Let us consider from what species of animals it originated, and how animals of the cattle species have changed over time.
Tur - the extinct wild ancestor of the domestic cow
All cows and bulls descended from already extinct primitive representatives of wild cattle - bulls of tours. These animals lived for a very long time, but when people began to interfere in their habitat, namely to cut down the forests where they lived, these bulls became less and less. 
The last tour was seen in 1627, it was then that this species ceased to exist. Interestingly, the last representatives died due to diseases due to weak genetic heredity.
During its existence, the tour was the largest representative of the ungulate species. Scientific studies and historical documents give an accurate description of these animals:
- height - up to 2 m;
- weight - not less than 800 kg;
- body structure is muscular;
- on the head are large pointed horns, they grew up to 100 cm;
- hump on the shoulders;
- dark color with a brown tinge.
Wild bulls of our time
Today in nature there are many modern descendants of aurochs. Consider what distinguishing features each species has, as well as where they live and what they eat.
The bison is the largest animal of the modern fauna of Europe. This representative of cattle has the following external characteristics:
- body length in an adult representative ranges from 230–350 cm;
- the height of the withers reaches 2 m;
- skull length - 50 cm;
- the neck is short and thick;
- live weight - up to 1 t;
- massive physique;
- the front is much more developed than the back;
- the tail grows in length up to 60 cm;
- uniform brown color.
The modern bison is a descendant of the primitive bison priscus, which lived in Eurasia. At first, the distribution of bison was noted in vast territories: from the Iberian Peninsula to Western Siberia, also capturing the southern part of Scandinavia and England. Now in Europe there are only two main subspecies: the European plains and the Caucasian bison. Important! Today, these animals can be found in thirty countries, where they live both in the wild and in pens. The main habitats are broad-leaved, deciduous and even mixed coniferous-deciduous forests, as well as meadows with developed grass cover.
Food for these animals is everything that they find in the forest or on the edges. Throughout the year, animals need tree food. They willingly eat different types of willows, hornbeam, aspen and many other trees, namely their parts: leaves, bark and thin branches.
There are eight centers in Belarus that breed a subpopulation of the European bison. There are two regions in Russia where these animals can be found today: the North Caucasus and the center of the European part. 
The bison is one of those animals, from the meeting with which a shiver runs through the skin. Its size is huge, and the view is impressive. In addition, the North American bison is endowed with the following characteristics:
- body length - up to 3 m;
- height at the withers reaches 2 m;
- the head is massive, the forehead is wide;
- on both sides of the head there are short horns, they diverge to the sides, while the ends are bent inward;
- the neck is massive and short;
- there is a hump on the nape;
- the front is much more massive than the back;
- the weight of males is about 1.2 tons;
- females are slightly smaller - a maximum of 700 kg;
- legs strong and squat;
- the tail is short, there is a tassel at the end;
- excellent hearing and sense of smell;
- the body is covered with gray hair with a brown tint;
- on the head, chest and beard, the hair is darker and longer, which gives the buffalo more volume.
These animals appeared on the territory of modern southern Europe. Later they spread throughout Eurasia and even North America. The first bulls were 2 times larger than their modern representatives. They live in huge herds of up to 20 thousand individuals. 
Leadership in the herd is given to several old males. In the wild, their life expectancy is 20 years. Today in nature there are two subspecies: forest and steppe.
To expand the range of bison, they were relocated to several regions of North America. Today they live in Northwestern Canada, in the province of British Columbia. In the wild, North American bison is listed in the Red Book as a species that is on the verge of extinction. On farms, they are grown for commercial use.
Yak
Yaks are native to Tibet. These are solitary pack animals that live in the wild in small herds or in splendid isolation. Life expectancy is several decades. The yak is endowed with expressive and memorable features:
- male body length - 4.3 m;
- the female reaches a length of no more than 3 m;
- the tail grows up to 1 m long;
- head set low;
- because of the hump, the back seems to be sloping;
- the height of the withers is 2 m;
- weight reaches 1 t;
- on the head are long, up to 95 cm, widely spaced horns, they are bent and directed in different directions;
- body color dark brown or grayish black;
- the coat is long, shaggy, almost completely covers the limbs.
Today it can be found not only in the highlands of Tibet, to which it has adapted, but also in other places on the planet. Yaks tolerate low temperatures well, thanks to their long hair they can tolerate frosts down to -35 ° C. They fell in love with the mountainous Pakistani and Afghan expanses, as well as farms in China and Iran, Nepal and Mongolia.
Single specimens are found in Altai and Buryatia. Due to the fact that a person captures the area of \u200b\u200btheir distribution, their number has significantly decreased. Today the yak is listed in the Red Book.
Important! A wild bull is one of the most dangerous and evil animals, capable of fighting with a person or other wild animal at any time.
Wherever the watussi bull appears, it attracts the attention of others. Its history goes back over 6 thousand years. They are also called "Bulls of Kings". The progenitors of the Watussi were already extinct bulls tours. This species became the basis of African cattle. 
External characteristics:
- weight of adult bulls - 700 kg;
- cows grow up to 550 kg;
- long round horns that grow up to 3.7 m in length;
- the tail is long;
- body color can be varied;
- coat is short.
Did you know? Since ancient times, bulls and cows of this breed were considered sacred. They were never killed for meat. The owner was considered wealthy based on how much live cattle he had in his possession, since cows of this species give a lot of milk.
In addition, they have developed an instinct to protect young animals, when located for the night, adults lie in a circle, while the calves are in its center for safety. 
Zebu is an Asian cow that has adapted to life in a hot and humid climate. The homeland of these animals is South Asia. Consider what distinctive characteristics of zebu are known:
- growth reaches a mark of 150 cm;
- body length - 160 cm;
- head and neck are elongated;
- under the neck there is a noticeable fleshy fold;
- on the back of the neck there is a large hump;
- horns of various sizes and shapes;
- the head is elongated with a convex forehead;
- the weight of the bull is 900 kg, the cow is 300 kg lighter;
- legs are high, which gives speed of movement;
- the skin is dense, covered with sparse hairs;
- the suit is light, light brown or white.
Animals feed on grass, thin branches and leaves. They can travel long distances in search of food. They live in regions with tropical and subtropical climates. Today, in addition to India, they can be found in Asia and Africa, in Japan, Korea, Madagascar, as well as in the USA, Brazil and other countries. 
Gaur - wild bull from Nepal
Another name is the Indian bison, this is the largest representative of the genus of bulls, which has survived to this day. Gaur is native to South and Southeast Asia. The description of the appearance of a wild bison consists of the following indicators:
- body length - within 3 m;
- tail length - up to 1 m;
- height at the withers - up to 2 m;
- there is a hump on the shoulders;
- weight ranges from 600–1500 kg;
- on the head are horns up to 1 m long;
- wool is dyed in different colors, "white stockings" on the legs.
Today there is a decrease in the population in some parts of the range, this figure is 70%. The population is in decline as a result of uncontrolled hunting as well as the destruction of their habitat.
This buffalo is the largest on the planet. Its homeland is Africa. These animals live in the wild for about 16 years, they are gregarious. They are endowed with the following characteristics:
- body length - 3.5 m;
- grow in height by 1.8 m;
- weight reaches 1 ton and more;
- the body is muscular, the front is much larger than the back;
- the head is large, set low;
- on the head are huge horns that grow together and resemble a shell;
- coat color is reddish;
- legs are powerful, the front ones are stronger than the hind ones;
- animals are endowed with good hearing, but poor eyesight.
The habitats of these bulls are savannahs, mountains and forests. They need a lot of water. They feed on grass and leaves. During danger, they gather in a herd, young animals are placed in the center and run away. It is known that their speed can reach 57 km / h. Today, African buffalo live in South and East Africa. They need a lot of space near water bodies. Did you know? Buffalo milk is better than cow's milk in terms of protein content. Its fat content is 8%. On average, one buffalo produces 2 tons of milk per year.
Asian (Indian) buffalo
The Asiatic buffalo is a relative of wild bison, yaks, and zebu. These are beautiful and powerful animals that fight with man for the right to life. Asian buffaloes are artiodactyl mammals that belong to the bovid family and are endowed with the following characteristics:
- the bull has a body length of 3 m;
- its growth reaches 2 m;
- weight is in the range of 800–1200 kg;
- crescent-shaped horns are located on the head, the distance between them is 2 m;
- the tail grows in length by 90 cm;
- wool is coarse, sparse, brown;
- limbs are high and strong.
The character justifies the appearance, as the buffalo of this breed is very ferocious. He fights well against predators. These bulls live in herds. There is no strict obedience in them. They feed on underwater and coastal vegetation, do it preferably in the evening, and during the day they like to just sit in the water. 3 times already helped
Cattle have been one of the main sources of human livelihood since ancient times, thanks to their nutritious meat and milk. Animal skins were used to make clothes and dwellings. After many centuries, agriculture continues to flourish, of course, something has changed, technology has come to help people, and farmers are breeding new breeds of bulls.
Reference. In the modern world, there are more than one thousand varieties, among which 300 are used everywhere for human needs, of which 70 are in the CIS.
Characteristics and types of rocks
Nowadays, the types of these animals are divided into three types:
- Dairy- individuals that are bred for the production of dairy products. Due to their lean physique, the use for beef production becomes unprofitable, but they are distinguished by a calm character and balanced behavior.
- Meat breeds of bulls are distinguished by large dimensions compared to the previous representatives. A rapid increase in muscle mass provides a large amount of meat and its high quality.
- Combined, that is, universal breeds, are characterized by the fact that they combine the quality of both directions.
Limousinskaya
This variety has a large supply of meat, therefore it is used for slaughter. It was bred in France thanks to a long selection during the XVIII-XIX centuries. Its representatives appeared on the territory of the USSR in the middle of the last century. Now they are used to develop a new breed by breeding with more dairy individuals. In Russia, the number of cattle of this breed is relatively small, only 1.8% of the total livestock.
The structural features of the body of Limousin bulls include:
- strong legs;
- massive muscles;
- small head and wide forehead;
- broad chest and rounded massive ribs.
The appearance is distinguished by red-brown colors of the suit and light shades of horns and hooves. The mass of females is about 600 kg, and bulls reach 1100 kg. Approximately 1700 kg of milk with a fat content of 5% is produced per year. Cows are very picky about the conditions of their keeping, they are able to endure severe frosts and calve easily.
Simmental
The Simmental cow belongs to the combined breeds of cattle. It was brought to us from Switzerland about 200 years ago. Their muscles are developed, the weight reaches 1100 kg, and the bull grows up to 145 cm at the withers. The coloration is usually pale yellow, sometimes with white spots. The annual milk yield of one individual is approximately 4500 kg. They are also often crossed with other dairy species to increase milk production and quality.
A Simmental cow is ready to bear offspring for 31 months and calve every year. Calving is easy, which, if necessary, makes it possible to take birth right in the middle of the field. Calves are also not picky about food, they can feed on milk for a long time, which allows you not to worry about their food. Representatives of this breed can gain a kilogram per day. In addition, they adapt very well to weather conditions.
Holstein
Most common among cattle breeders. The size of an adult bull can be compared with individuals that are grown for slaughter - 1200 kg with a height at the withers of 160 cm, and the annual milk yield exceeds most other breeds - 7500 kg. The black-and-white color is the external distinguishing feature of these cows. They are characterized by a deep chest, a wedge-shaped body, a large udder.
It was bred by North American farmers, and their ancestors were from Western European countries - Germany, Belgium, etc. The variety was brought to the United States in the middle of the 19th century, and breeding work was immediately started to improve animal productivity.
Cow performance depends on many factors such as feed and weather conditions. In different parts of the world, the average annual milk yield of Gelstein cows ranges from 7.5 to 10 tons of milk. Also, the percentage of fat content varies, the highest rate is given by individuals with red-and-white coloring - almost 4%, but the amount of milk they produce is much less.
Santa Gertrude
Received the name in honor of the farm on which it was bred by breeding. It belongs to the meat type of cattle. The mass of cows is from 560 kg to 600 kg, while bulls weigh from 830 to 1000 kg. The breed was bred for farms in the steppe regions, so in Russia it is most often found in the southern regions. The color of the suit is most often burgundy-red.
The subspecies of the wild zebu bull and the Shorthorn breed of cows were taken as the basis for the selection. The breeding work lasted 30 years, and as a result, scientists managed to get 150 calves that passed on their genotype to descendants that have survived to this day.
Features of the Santa Gertrude breed: meat of the highest grade, while the milk produced is enough to feed the calves. Animals are perfectly adapted to hot weather, but at the same time they are not susceptible to insects that live in such a climate.
Charolais
It is one of the most massive breeds. It was brought out by French farmers in the 18th century, and brought to Russia relatively recently. Its coloration is most often white without spots. Has a strong and harmonious physique.
An adult bull reaches a mass of 1400 kg, and a cow - 1100 kg. Relative to the body, the head is small. Also, this breed is characterized by a wide chest and a straight back. With a large mass, the proportion of bones in it is only 20%, and the taste and culinary qualities of meat are at the highest level. Refers to the meat type of livestock. The annual milk yield is quite small, but allows you to feed growing calves.
Charolais cows can be used for about 15 years, but they are very picky about climate and nutrition. At low temperatures suffer from frostbite. In addition, calving is quite difficult, often resorting to caesarean section.
Belgian blue
This is an amazing breed of bulls. Her brood has a very favorable meat-to-bone ratio. Thanks to long selection and genetic experiments, scientists managed to remove the gene that inhibits muscle gain. Unfortunately, representatives of this species are not bred in Russia.
Individuals do not differ in high growth, on average 150 cm. The color is often white and blue, but individuals of black color are also often found. The muscles of the neck, lower back, shoulders and legs are strongly developed. The temperament is very quiet and calm. The live weight of an individual reaches an average of 1250 kg. Good average annual milk yield, approximately 3000 l.
But a large mass has its drawbacks, one of them is that natural calving is almost impossible. In most cases, a caesarean section is used. The female is ready to produce the first offspring at 28 months. Pregnancy proceeds quite quickly - 285 days.
Shorthorn
One of the oldest breeds of beef cattle is the Shorthorn. It got its name from its short horns. Just like the previous one, it is a meat genus of cattle. It was bred in England in the 18th century by crossing foreign types of cattle. A century later, it was brought to the territory of Russia.
Peculiarities:
- suit of different shades of red, from light red to burgundy;
- the animal has a loose physique and delicate constitution;
- well-developed muscles and a large, barrel-shaped body;
- the height at the withers reaches 130 cm, which is a rather modest indicator;
- whimsical to climatic conditions and feed.
The average weight of an adult bull is 800 kg, and females - 600 kg. It has rather tender meat, which is commonly called “marble”, in addition, the percentage of the meat product in the carcass is more than 80%.
This species is bred almost all over the world, including regions of Russia, such as Orenburg, Rostov, Tyumen and others. Now the number of representatives is decreasing faster and faster, due to a small natural increase.
Hereford
The most common among meat breeds. Animals of this species live in Australia, Africa, America and many other parts of the world. Originally from the UK, where it was bred in the 18th century.
They are very unpretentious in conditions of detention and are able to withstand long hauls, which allows them to be bred in the conditions of the steppe, and thanks to their strong physique, they adapt perfectly to any climate.
They are distinguished by a rather rough constitution: a short neck, imperceptibly flowing into the body, a large head, a long, low body, short legs.
The growth of an adult exceeds 130 cm, and the weight is about 1000 kg, a maximum of 1500 kg. Wide chest girth up to 215 cm. Gives very little milk, only 300 liters per year. Its meat is valued for its excellent taste and is ideal for cooking steaks.
It calves easily, and newborns with good feeding grow quickly. Weight gain per day is about 1000 g.
Aberdeen Angus
Another breed whose meat taste is highly valued comes from Scotland. Her ancestors were rootless cattle, they were used for the needs of agriculture. Through a long selection in 1775, she found her name. Due to the precocity of cattle, it quickly took root in Australia and the CIS. In addition, when crossing, the offspring were endowed with all the positive qualities of the ancestor.
Animals are distinguished by black color and small growth - 120 cm at the withers. They have:
- large neck and small head;
- powerful chest;
- muscular body of a rounded shape;
- straight back.
For maximum precocity, it is recommended to feed high quality and a lot. For six months, the calf eats up to 180 kg of live weight. They can add a kilogram per day, the weight of an adult bull reaches 1000 kg. Thin bones determine the high slaughter yield - 83%. Cow gives about 1700 kg of milk per year.
Kalmyk
This ancient breed of cattle comes from Asia. Distributed, as the name suggests, in the steppe area, including many regions of Russia. Belongs to the meat category of cattle. Perfectly adapted to constant hauling, as their ancestors served the nomadic peoples of Mongolia.
Individuals of this species:
- have a strong constitution;
- color color from burgundy to light red;
- have a massive neck and small head;
- have white horns;
- they have developed muscles, a massive chest.
On average, the growth of an individual is rather small - 130 cm. Straight, strong back and voluminous lower back.
The weight of a live cow is 420-480 kg, and that of a bull is up to 950 kg. Milk yield per year up to 1500 kg of milk with a fat content of up to 4.4%. The content of muscle mass in the carcass is 70%, fat is 10%.
Kalmyk cattle are unpretentious in terms of weather and feeding, gaining weight very quickly during the pasture season. Easy reproduction. Marble meat, characteristic of this breed, is valued all over the world.
Kazakh
The variety was bred as a result of crossing the Hereford with local cattle, thanks to which it was possible to combine the positive qualities of both breeds. They tolerate any weather well and are unpretentious to feed, while their meat has excellent taste.
Suit color: various shades of red, but some parts of the body are white. Well-developed musculature is a hallmark of the beef type of cattle. The dewlap strongly stands out, the body is rounded. Bulls grow 130 cm, and their chest girth is 190 cm.
The live weight of bulls is up to 950 kg, cows - up to 800 kg. Milk yield per year does not exceed 1500 liters of milk, the fat content of which is 3.8%. Very high fertility of the breed. The average yield of slaughtered animals is approximately 55%.
Conclusion
Various types of livestock are distributed throughout the world, thanks to which such a variety of bull breeds has appeared. At the same time, each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you should seriously consider the choice of certain cattle for your farm.
The biggest wild bull in the world November 2nd, 2013
As a rule, herbivorous megafauna is presented as a group consisting of elephants, rhinos and giraffes. However, one of the most specific representatives of the megafauna is the Indian bull. Standing under 3 meters (10 feet), the gaur is truly a gigantic animal, and the largest wild cow in the world. This massive creature with truly huge horns can burst through the forests and fields of India, while sometimes destroying gardens.
This species is critically endangered, although it survives most threats and weighs up to 1,600 kg (3,500 lb). Among the megafauna that can cut their way through tropical vegetation, only elephants, rhinos or giraffes can be bigger and taller. The gaur is more docile than the African buffalo, but there are occasional human casualties. There was a case when a tiger attacked a gaura. Gaur literally tore the tiger in half.
Let's find out more about them...
Few wild bulls can compare with the gaur in beauty, strength and size. This is perhaps the largest bull in the world, and therefore the largest representative of the bovid family, both today and in prehistoric times. The 68 cm long gaura skull is larger than any giant bison skull. It is not only the largest and strongest, but also and the most handsome of bulls.
Gaur is sometimes referred to as the Asiatic bison, and indeed, in his build, he is a bit like his American relative. Gaura is distinguished from other bulls by a very powerful physique, relief muscles and an impressive appearance.
If the appearance of an African buffalo can symbolize indomitable power, then the gaur personifies calm confidence and strength. The height at the withers of old males reaches 213 cm, weight -800-1000 kg. Thick and massive horns from the base are bent somewhat down and back, and then up and slightly inward. Their length in males reaches 100-115 spruce, and the distance between the ends is 120 cm. The forehead is wide, flat. Gaura females are much smaller, their horns are shorter and thinner. The hairline is dense, short, adjacent to the body, the color is brilliant black, less often dark brown, on the legs of the animals there are white “stockings”. Although the range of the gaur covers a vast territory, including India, Nepal, Burma, Assam and the peninsulas of Indochina and Malacca, the number of this bull is small. In fact, it is preserved only in national parks and reserves. Not only hunters are to blame for this, but also frequent epizootics of foot-and-mouth disease, plague and other diseases.
True, a strict ban on hunting throughout the territory and energetic quarantine supervision seem to have marked a certain turning point in the position of the gaur, and its numbers have increased somewhat in recent years. Gaur inhabits wooded areas, preferring mountain forests up to 2000 m above sea level. However, he avoids solid forests with dense undergrowth and keeps in lighted areas near glades. However, gaura can also be found in the bamboo jungle, as well as on grassy plains with shrubs. He strongly avoids cultivated lands. The favorite food of the gaur is fresh grass, young bamboo shoots, and shrub shoots. He needs regular watering and bathing, but, unlike buffaloes, he does not take mud baths. Gauras graze early in the morning and before sunset, and sleep at night and at noon. Gauras are kept in small groups, which usually include 1-2 adult bulls, 2-3 young bulls, 5-10 cows with calves and teenagers. Along with this, groups consisting only of young bulls are not uncommon. Adult strong males often leave the herd and lead the life of hermits.
In the herd of gaurs, a certain order is always observed. The calves usually keep together, and the entire "kindergarten" is under the vigilant protection of mothers. The leader of the herd is more often an old cow, which, when the herd runs away, is in the head or, conversely, in the rearguard. Old bulls, as observations have shown, do not participate in the defense and do not even respond to the alarm signal, which sounds like a shrill snort. Hearing such a snort, the rest of the herd members freeze, raising their heads, and if the source of the alarm is established, the nearest animal emits a rumbling moo, according to which the herd assumes battle order. The gaur's method of attack is exceptionally interesting. Unlike other bulls, he attacks not with his forehead, but sideways, and lowers his head low and crouches somewhat on his hind legs, striking with one horn to the side. It is noticed that in old bulls one of the horns is noticeably more worn than the other. Zoologist J. Schaller believes that this style of attack developed from the usual posture of imposing and menacing for gaurs, when the animal demonstrates its huge silhouette in the most impressive foreshortening.
By the way, gaur fights, as a rule, do not go beyond demonstrations. The rutting period of the Gaurs begins in November and ends in March - April. Single males at this time join the herds, and fights are not uncommon between them. The peculiar invocative roar of the gaura during the rut is similar to the roar of stag deer and can be heard in the evening or at night at a distance of more than one and a half kilometers. Pregnancy lasts 270-280 days, calving occurs more often in August - September. At the time of calving, the cow is removed from the herd and in the first days is extremely cautious and aggressive. Usually she brings one calf, rarely twins. The lactation period ends at the ninth month of the calf's life. Gaurs willingly unite in herds with sambars and other ungulates.
They are almost not afraid of tigers, although tigers occasionally attack young animals. The special friendship of gaurs with wild chickens is described by the zoologist Olivier, who in 1955 managed to observe how a young rooster daily cleaned the festering, damaged horns of a female gaur for two weeks. Despite the pain of this operation, the cow, at the sight of a rooster, laid her head on the ground and turned the horn towards the "nurse". Gayal is nothing but a domesticated gaur. But as a result of domestication, the gayal has changed a lot: it is much smaller, lighter and weaker than the gaur, its muzzle is shorter, the forehead is wider, the horns are relatively short, very thick, straight, conical. Guyale is more phlegmatic and calmer than gaur. At the same time, gayals are not kept in the same way as domestic cows in Europe.
They always graze in complete freedom, and when you need to catch a gayal, they lure him with a piece of rock salt or tie a cow in the forest. Gayal is used for meat, in some places it is used as a draft force, and among some peoples of South Asia it serves as a kind of money or is used as a sacrificial animal. Gayala cows often mate with wild gaurs.
